Night eating syndrome and nocturnal snacking: association with obesity, binge eating and psychological distress

Abstract

Objective: Night eating syndrome (NES) is characterized by a time-delayed pattern of eating relative to sleep, where most food is consumed in the evening and night. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of NES and nocturnal snacking by exploring the relationship between NES and (1) obesity, (2) binge eating disorder (BED) and (3) Methods: NES diagnosis required within the previous 3 months: (1) no appetite for breakfast, (2) consumption of X50% of daily energy after 1900 hours and (3) sleep difficulties X3 nights/week. Nocturnal snacking (awakening to eat) was recorded. Validated questionnaires assessed BED, symptoms of depression, appearance dissatisfaction (AD) and mental health-related quality of life (MHQoL). NES and binge eating (BE) (X1 episode/week) were confirmed by interview. Results: NES criteria were met by 11.1% of the total cohort. Across all groups, BE (P ¼ 0.001), BMI (P ¼ 0.003) and male gender (P ¼ 0.013) explained 10% of NES variance. Individuals with co-morbid NES and BE reported similarly elevated psychological distress as other binge eaters. NES alone was not associated with psychological distress. Those with NES who consumed nocturnal snacks reported poorer MHQoL (P ¼ 0.007) and greater depressive symptoms (P ¼ 0.039) and hunger (P ¼ 0.013) than others with NES. Low MHQoL (P ¼ 0.007) and male gender (P ¼ 0.022) explained 27% of the variance in the nocturnal snacking group. Discussion: In this study, NES was positively associated with BMI, BE and male gender. Elevated psychological distress was only apparent in those who consumed nocturnal snacks. Further characterization and understanding of the clinical significance of NES and nocturnal snacking is required.

Night eating syndrome in class II–III obesity: metabolic and psychopathological features

“…5,9,14 However, only few studies controlled the associations between NES and the psychological variables for binge eating. 15 A study comparing obese participants seeking treatment for weight loss with and without NES found that night eaters had higher depression and lower self-esteem, and that the association was not due to confounding effects of binge eating disorder. 5 Another study, after controlling NES and psychological variables for binge eating, reported that the differences in psychological functioning and quality of life between NES and non-NES in obese individuals were largely cancelled out.…”

“…5 Another study, after controlling NES and psychological variables for binge eating, reported that the differences in psychological functioning and quality of life between NES and non-NES in obese individuals were largely cancelled out. 15 Finally, the relationship between NES and the medical complications of obesity has been scarcely evaluated. A NES prevalence of 9.7% has been reported in diabetes, and participants with night eating symptoms were more likely to be obese, to have unsatisfactory metabolic control and two or more diabetes complications.…”

“…This piece of information is fundamental in defining NES either as a distinctive eating disorder of clinical severity 3,18 or simply a variant of normal eating that promotes weight gain and obesity. 15 The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of the features of the metabolic syndrome and distinctive psychological characteristics in class II-III obese individuals with NES in comparison with non-NES participants seeking treatment in a specialist medical unit.…”

Transtornos alimentares e padrão circadiano alimentar: uma revisão

“…A associação entre comedores noturnos e obesidade tem sido muito relatada (Harb AB, Levandovski RM, Oliveira C, Hidalgo MP, Night eating syndrome: a correlation study with body mass index and sleep and eating behavior, manuscrito não publicado, 2008) 28 . Estudo recente, incluindo 100 participantes, demonstrou associação entre comedores noturnos e índice de massa corporal (IMC) elevado.…”

Incidência Da Síndrome Do Comer Noturno E Compulsão Alimentar Em Estudantes De Nutrição

“…Segundo Colles et al (2007), estas síndromes têm sido positivamente correlacionadas com um padrão de refeição irregular, caracterizado por um atraso do horário das refeições devido ao stress. O que sugere que as exigências do dia a dia, associadas a maiores níveis de ansiedade e estresse próprios das tarefas desempenhadas em níveis de escolaridade superior, induzem à alteração do horário das refeições.…”